Sailboat trimming and stabilizing system

ABSTRACT

A system for sailboats for the purpose of maintaining the trim or attitude of the hull in a level position and at the same time adjusting the rigging and keel. The mast is made so that it can tilt to port or starboard and apparatus is provided to produce a force or torque tending to urge the mast back to its upright position and to produce a righting moment on the hull. Alternative apparatus is provided to produce these forces. A rotatable keel is provided which is automatically adjusted when the mast tilts to compensate for the tendency of the craft to make leeway while under way. An auxiliary mast is provided, suspended from the top of the regular mast which is swung to port or starboard to keep the mainsail substantially upright. A horizontally movable jib boom is provided for the foresail and sheets are provided so that the helmsman can adjust the aspect of the foresail to keep it aligned with the mainsail when the mast tilts.

This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 12,755 filed Feb.16, 1979, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The field of the invention has to do with the rigging of sailboats andwith means for controlling the trim or leveling of sailboats, such asfor example, sailboats equipped with a sloop rig or other types of rig.The invention is adapted to use with multiple hull craft as well.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The herein inventor is the Patentee in U.S. Pat. No. 3,985,106 which isconsidered to represent the presently known prior art.

In the operation of sailboats, especially small boats equipped withparticular rigs, such as for example a sloop rig, the hull heels over asthe wind exerts force on the sails. This tends to detract from thecomfort of those occupying the boat, particularly more inexperiencedsailors. The aforesaid prior patent teaches means whereby the hull canbe maintained in a more level or trimmed condition by the use of a mastwhich can tilt to port or starboard and in so doing it shifts weights topositions to restore the mast to its upright position and to maintainthe hull in a more level attitude. The herein invention seeks to providefurther improvements calculated to enhance this purpose and result.

The boat tends to move leeward at any time it is under way using windpower. The prior art lacks teaching of means for the purpose ofoffsetting this tendency, the herein invention being calculated to meetthe problem.

In a system wherein the mast can tilt to port or starboard this, ofcourse, changes the position and attitude of the sails, that is, theaspect of the sails, such as a foresail and mainsail relative to thewind. The prior art lacks teaching of means to meet this problem, thatis, to maintain the sails in a more normal attitude when associated witha mast which can tilt. The herein invention seeks to provide meanseffective for the purpose of solving this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The basic nature of the invention is summarized in the abstract.

In the preferred exemplary form of the invention as described in detailherein, the mast is pivotally mounted so that it can tilt to port orstarboard relative to the hull. The mast is connected to a means whichin a preferred form of the invention is an amidships torsion bar alignedwith the center line of the craft, so that when the mast tilts a forceis applied to restore the mast position and to contribute to stabilityof the craft by minimizing heeling.

The torsion bar transmits a portion of the effort to the opposingwindward side of the hull.

In a preferred form of the invention, the mast has a pivotal mounting sothat it can tilt to port or starboard. The lower end of the mastcooperates with a yoke which is connected to the torsion bar to applytension within the bar. The opposite end of the bar is connected to thehull of the boat, thus when torsion is applied to the bar, that is,twisting effort, the torsion bar applies a righting moment to the hull.

In a typical sailing rig such as a sloop rig, having a foresail andmainsail associated with the tilting mast, of course, when the masttilts it tends to change the position or attitude of the sails tendingto cause them to spill the wind rendering them less effective. In thepreferred form of the invention, an auxiliary mast is provided which issuspended like a pendulum from the mainmast so that it can be swung fromport to starboard.

The auxiliary (secondary) mast is moved by the yoke which is attached tothe forward end of the torsion bar, which is moved by the mainmast. Theauxiliary mast is moved through cables and a slotted attachment attachedto the mainmast.

A jib boom is provided for the foresail with means in the form of sheetsmanipulatable by the helmsman to adjust the forward end of the jib boomso that when the mast tilts, the foresail as well can be adjusted to amore effective position in which it is aligned with the mainsail.

Further, an adjustable, that is, rotatable keel is provided which isconnected to the regular mast (through the yoke) so that when the masttilts, the keel is adjusted to offset the tendency of the hull to makeheadway or to drift to leeward while in motion.

In the light of the foregoing, the primary object of the invention is tomake it possible to equip a sailboat with means operable to stabilizethe boat and to reduce heeling of the hull.

A further object is to provide means to realize the foregoing, whereinthe mast is mounted to be able to tilt to port or starboard and isconnected to means preferably in the form of a torsion bar whereby toprovide a force when the mast tilts tending to restore the mast to itsupright position and to drive the hull down to windward.

Alternative means provided for producing the restoring force to the mastand the righting moment to the hull. These alternative means areadaptable for use with craft of the type described above but also withcraft of the multiple hull type, such as catamarans, etc.

In one of these alternative forms of the invention the mast actuates ayoke as described in the foregoing. The yoke carries flexible membersextending to port and starboard and engagable with the sides of the hulland this may simply be the gunwales. When the yoke tilts to port orstarboard, one or the other of the flexible elements is flexed, that is,bent so that a force is produced tending to return the mast to uprightposition and to provide a righting moment to the hull.

In another form of the invention the yoke is provided with extendingrigid members which extend to port and starboard. Flexible members,preferably in the form of bowed, springs are provided attached to thehull. When the mast tilts, one or the other of the rigid members engagesone of the springs flexing it and producing tension in it which producesthe force for returning the mast to upright position and producing arighting moment on the hull, that is, on the windward side.

A further object is to make it possible to adjust sails associated witha mast which tilts so that the sails can be maintained in a more normaland effective position when the mast tilts.

A further object is to realize means for maintaining effectiveness of ajib sail by way of an adjustable jib boom whereby the foresail can bemoved or adjusted to a more effective aspect when the regular masttilts.

A further object is to realize means for offsetting the tendency of asailboat to make headway to leeward.

A further object is to realize means for realizing the foregoing by wayof an adjustable or rotatable keel which is connected by cables to thetilting mast so that when the mast tilts, the keel is adjusted to offsetthe tendency of the hull to make headway to leeward.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a sailboat rigged with an exemplary formof the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view partly in section of the mast and torsion barassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a pictorial view of a sailboat rigged with a modified form ofthe invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the form of the inventionof FIG. 6 illustrating its operation;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8--8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a further modified form of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE OF PRACTICING THEINVENTION

Referring to the drawings, numeral 10 designates the sailboat hull whichmay be of generally conventional construction. The gunwales aredesignated at 11 and 12, the stern at 14 and the bow at 16.

The boat has a foredeck designated generally at 20. The boat may have atypical steering mechanism not shown which may include a tiller or wheeland a rudder in a position for the helmsman to steer. Numeral 21designates a bulkhead and numeral 23 designates a thwart.

The boat has a primary mast as designated at 24. The mast is carried bya deck fitting or a block as shown at 26 in FIG. 2. The deck fitting isbolted to the deck 20 as shown. A ball and socket joint is provided sothat the mast can tilt to port or starboard. This joint includes a ball30 formed in the mast which is inside of a socket 32 formed within thedeck fitting 26.

The lower end of the mast 24 is telescoped into a tubular member offitting 40. (See FIG. 3) At the lower end of the member 40 there isprovided a yoke or clevis between the legs of which there is journaled aroller or wheel 46 on a shaft or stem 47. This roller or wheelcooperates with a yoke 48 having legs 49 and 49'. The legs 49 and 49'have extending members 50 and 50' which will be referred to againpresently. Mounted on the inside of the legs 49 and 49' are leaf springs51 and 51' mounted at their upper ends. The wheel 46 bears against theleaf springs and when the mast tilts by way of pressure on one or theother of the leaf springs, the yoke 48 can be tilted one way or another.The yoke has a stem 56 on its underside which is connected to a torsionbar 58, the stem 56 being a right angle portion at the end of thetorsion bar.

Numerals 60 and 61 designate support members supported from the hull ofthe boat as may be seen in more detail in FIG. 1, the torsion bar 58being supported from these members and being held by bearings 62 and 63.The torsion bar twists and is anchored at the "T" (66). The torsion bar58 lies amidships along the center line of the craft. The aft end of thebar 58 is journaled in a block 66, the end parts of which are bolted tothe bottom of the boat, that is, the hull. As will be understood, whenthe mast 24 tilts to port or starboard under the effect of the wind, theyoke 48 is acted on to rotate it or tilt it in the opposite direction,producing torsion in the torsion bar 58 and producing a force which actson the mast and on the hull to restore the mast and opposite to thedirection of tilting of the mast and thereby to provide a trimmingeffect to maintain the hull in a level attitude. The torsion or twistingin torsion bar 58 acts on block 66 to produce the righting moment on thehull to restore it to a level or trimmed position.

Numeral 70 designates an auxiliary mast that is suspended like apendulum from the top of the primary mast 24. It is carried on a pin 72that extends through the masts and through a bushing 73 and the primarymast 24, and numeral 74 designating a spacer in between the two masts.

The lower end of the auxiliary mast 70 can swing to port or starboard.Numeral 80 designates a fitting carried by primary mast 24 as shown inFIG. 5. It is of arcuate shape as shown having a flat side 81, but inthis side is a transverse or lateral slot 82. Carried on the auxiliarymast 70 are spaced adjustable disc members 84 and 85 (see FIG. 2) andextending between them is a pin 86 which is carried in the slot 82 asmay be seen in FIG. 5. The primary mast 24 is connected to the auxiliarymast 70 so that when the primary mast tilts to port or starboard theauxiliary mast is similarly shifted as will be described presently.

Numeral 90 designates the main boom, the mainsail being shown inoutline. At the top of the auxiliary mast is a pulley block carrying apulley as designated at 92, the main halyard being designated at 93 forhoisting the mainsail.

Numeral 96 designates an adjustable, that is, rotatable keel. Theconfiguration of the keel may conform generally to keels as known in theart. However, it is mounted on a stem 100 (FIG. 2) journaled in abearing 101 so that the keel can be angularly rotated. Numeral 102(FIG. 1) designates a cross bar extending laterally with respect to thestem 100.

The yoke 48 is connected by cables both to the auxiliary mast 70 and tothe rotatable keel 96 so that when the primary mast tilts, the auxiliarymast is shifted and the rotatable keel is shifted for purposes that havebeen referred to in the foregoing. Numerals 110 and 111 designate cableswhich are attached to the arms 50 and 50' on the yoke 48. These cablespass over pulleys 112 and 113 and connect to the ends of the cross arm102 so that whenever the yoke 48 is tilted to port or starboard, thekeel 96 is rotated to have a compensating effect to offset the tendencyof the hull to make a headway to leeward.

Numerals 116 and 118 designate cables also connected to the yoke 48 asshown which pass over pulleys 120 and 122 and which then are connectedto the yoke 48 as shown. Thus, when the yoke 48 is tilted to port orstarboard, forces are provided in the cables that cause the lower end ofthe auxiliary mast 70 to be swung to port or starboard to keep it in anupright attitude to preserve the effectiveness of the mainsail. Themainsail may be manipulated by main sheets as already shown in the priorart.

In addition to shifting of the auxiliary mast and mainsail when theprimary mast 24 is shifted, the jib sail similarly is shifted tomaintain it in a more effective attitude or aspect. For this purposethere is provided a jib boom 130 the after end of which is pivotallycarried in a clevis fitting 132 attached to the deck fitting 26, theinner end of the jib boom being pivoted on a pin 134. See FIG. 2.

The forward end of the jib boom 130 is guided around the arcuate forwardpart of the hull and deck. As shown in FIG. 4, the boom 130 is hollow.Its interior forms a track for a pair of rollers 140 and 140' connectedby a link 142. Formed on the deck 20 is an arcuate track 144 whichguides movement of a pair of rollers 146 and 146' on a shaft 147.Numeral 148 designates a stem extending from the link 142 and in whichthe shaft 147 is journaled numeral 150 designating a guide member overtrack 144.

As may be seen, the jib boom 130 can be swung to port or starboard beingaccurately guided by the mechanism shown in FIG. 4. Jib sheets or linesare provided for adjusting the lower lefthand corner of the jib sail asdesignated at 154 and 155. Additional jib sheets 156 and 157 areprovided for adjusting the forward end of the jib boom 130. The jibsheets pass back to a position where they can be manipulated by thehelmsman passing over pulleys 160 and 161. By way of the means justdescribed when the mast tilts and the auxiliary mast moves to port orstarboard, the jib sail can be shifted to bring it into alignment withthe mainsail, that is, in a funnel position.

From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will be readily able tounderstand the invention, the manner in which it operates, and themanner in which the parts are maneuvered in order to achieve the resultsintended.

Illustratively, when on one tack or the other or when changing, theforce of the wind will cause the mast to tilt to leeward. When thishappens, the yoke 48 is shifted as described which through the cablesshifts the lower end of the auxiliary mast in the direction of tilt, sothat it is kept generally upright with a favorable attitude or aspectwith respect to the wind to avoid spilling. At the same time, the jibsail is similarly shifted by the helmsman to keep it aligned with themainsail.

Also, torsion is applied to torsion bar 58 which tends to restore themast to its upright position and to provide the righting or trimmingmoment or force for the hull.

When the mast tilts, additionally by reason of its connections to thekeel 96, the keel is turned similarly to present a surface which willcompensate in a manner to offset the tendency of the hull to makeheadway to leeward.

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 illustrate schematically a modified form of theinvention. The hull of the craft is like that of the previous embodimentand is identified by similar reference characters. In this form of theinvention the craft is provided with a mast as designated at 170 havinga boom 172 and a triangular sail 174. Numerals 177 and 178 designatelines for controlling the boom.

Numerals 180 and 181 designate a pair of upright members supported fromthe bottom of the boat. The lower part of the mast is pivotally mountedbetween these members by a pivot member or shaft as designated at 182.Numeral 186 designates a yoke assembly which has side members 188 and189 which are pivotally mounted on a cross pin or shaft 192 extendingbetween the side members 180 and 181. At the upper ends of these membersthey are slotted as indicated at 194 in FIG. 7. At the end of the mast170 below the pivot or shaft member 182 is a cross pin 198 which movesin the slots as shown in 194 and the members 188 and 189.

Attached to the assembly 186 are flexible members 200 and 202 which areresilient rods made of metal or comparable material. The inner end ofthe rod 200 is secured to the assembly 186 by way of a fitting shown at204, the rod 202 being attached by a similar fitting 206.

When the mast is upright, the rods 200 and 202 extend to port andstarboard as shown and merely rest on the sides of the gunwales 11 and12 of the craft. In other types of craft a frame member can be providedto be engaged by these rods.

The operation of this embodiment corresponds to that of the previousembodiment. FIG. 7 shows the mast tilted to starboard, that is, toleeward with the yoke assembly 186 tilted the other way. In thisposition the rod 200 is flexed as shown in FIG. 7, producing a forcetending to return the yoke assembly 186 to an upright position and toreturn the mast 170 to an upright position. In this configuration, thehull would, of course, be tilting or listing to starboard so that thetension in the rod 200 acting on the port side of the boat, that is, onthe gunwhale 11 would exert a force or a moment tending to return thehull to a level trimmed position.

FIG. 9 shows another alternative form of the invention. Correspondingparts in this figure are identified by the same reference characters asin previous embodiments. In FIG. 9, numeral 210 designates a flexiblespring member of bowed shape as shown, one end of which is secured tothe inside of the hull of the boat as shown at 211. A similar spring asidentified at 212 is secured to the hull on the other side of the boatas shown at 213.

Attached to the assembly 186 is a rigid bar member 216 extending to theleft or to port and secured to the other side of the assembly 186 isanother rigid bar member 218 extending to starboard.

FIG. 9 shows a configuration in which the mast 170 is tilted to port sothat the assembly 186 is tilted to starboard with the rigid members 216and 218 in the position shown. In this position the member 218 engagesthe spring 212 bending it downwardly as shown and placing tension in itproducing a force tending to return the assembly 186 to an uprightposition and the mast 170 to an upright position. Additionally, thecoaction between member 218 and the spring 212 produces a downward forceon the starboard side of the craft thereby producing a righting momenttending to return the craft to level or trimmed position, the crafttending to list to port when the mast 170 is in a position as shown inFIG. 9. Thus it can be seen that the form of the invention as shown inFIG. 9 operates similarly to that of the previous embodiments.

From the foregoing, the manner in which the objectives as set forth inthe foregoing are realized will be readily understood.

It is to be understood that certain features of the invention may beadapted and utilized without utilizing other features. That is, theapplication of the torsion to the bar 58 to provide a righting momentwhen the mast tilts, may be utilized without shifting of the sails.Similarly, the keel could be shifted or adjusted in response to tiltingof the mast without utilizing the capability of applying a rightingmoment to the hull or adjusting the sails.

The foregoing disclosure is representative of a preferred form of theinvention and is to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than alimiting sense, the invention to be accorded the full scope of theclaims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a sailboat having a hull and a mainsail meansfor maintaining leveling or trimming of the hull comprising incombination, a mast mounted to be capable of tilting to port orstarboard under the influence of the wind, means operatively connectedto the mast to apply a force resisting the tilting of the mast, saidmeans including a torsion bar mounted along the center line of the hulland connected to the mast whereby tilting of the mast applies torsion toone end of the bar about the axis of the torsion bar providing arighting moment and restoring force, the torsion bar having an end partconnected to the boat whereby the torsion in the bar exerts a rightingmoment on the hull.
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1 including an auxiliarymast supported from the first mentioned mast in a position for its lowerend to move to port or starboard, and means whereby when the first masttilts, the lower part of the auxiliary mast is moved in the samedirection, whereby to keep the mainsail in an upright position. 3.Apparatus as in claim 2, including an adjustable keel, mounted to beadjustable for compensating for tendencies of the hull to make headwayto leeward, and means providing connections between the keel and themast whereby when the mast is tilted, the keel is adjusted tocompensate, by being rotated about a vertical axis.
 4. In a sailboat,having a hull and a mainsail, means for maintaining leveling or trimmingof the hull comprising in combination, a mast mounted to be capable oftilting to port or starboard under the influence of the wind, meansoperatively connected to the mast to apply a force resisting the tiltingof the mast, said means including a torsion bar mounted along the centerline of the hull and connected to the mast whereby tilting of the mastapplies torsion about the axis of the torsion bar providing the rightingmoment resisting and restoring force, the torsion bar including anupright member and an end part connected to the boat, a yoke carried bythe upright member and means at the end of the mast cooperating with theyoke member for shifting it oppositely to the direction of tilt of themast.
 5. In a sailboat, means for providing leveling or trimming of thehull comprising in combination, a mast mounted to be capable of tiltingto port or starboard under the influence of the wind, means operativelyconnected to the mast to apply a force restoring the mast to uprightposition, means comprising an adjustable keel mounted to be adjustableabout a vertical axis to compensate for tendencies of the hull to makeheadway to leeward and means providing connections between the keel andthe mast whereby when the mast is tilted the keel is adjusted about thevertical axis to compensate.
 6. In a sailboat, having a hull and amainsail, means for providing leveling or trimming of the hullcomprising in combination, a mast mounted to be capable of tilting toport or starboard under the influence of the wind, an auxiliary mastsupported from the first mentioned mast in a position for its lower endto move port or starboard, and means whereby when the first mast tilts,the lower part of the auxiliary mast moves in the same direction,whereby to keep the mainsail in an upright position, means providing anadjustable keel for compensating for tendencies of the hull to makeheadway to leeward, and means providing connections between the keel andthe mast whereby when the mast is tilted the keel is adjusted.
 7. In asailboat having a hull and mainsail, means for maintaining leveling ortrimming of the hull comprising in combination, a mast mounted to becapable of tilting to port or starboard under the influence of the wind,means operatively connected to the mast to apply a force resisting thetilting of the mast, means including an auxiliary mast supported fromthe first mentioned mast in a position for its lower end to move to portor starboard, means whereby when the first mast tilts, the lower part ofthe auxiliary mast moves in the same direction, whereby to keep themainsail in an upright position, means providing an adjustable keelrotatable angularly about a vertical axis for compensating fortendencies of the hull to make headway to leeward, and means providingconnections between the keel and the mast whereby when the mast istilted the keel is adjusted to compensate.
 8. A sailboat as in claim 7including means including a jib sail and jib boom, means whereby theforward end of the jib boom can be swung to port or starboard and sheetmeans whereby the lower aft corner of the jib sail and the forward endof the jib boom can be shifted for aligning the jib sail with themainsail.
 9. In a sailboat having a hull and a mainsail, means formaintaining leveling or trimming of the hull comprising in combination,a mast mounted to be capable of tilting to port or starboard under theinfluence of the wind, means operatively connected to the mast to applya force resisting the tilting of the mast, said means includingmechanism positioned to be actuated by tilting of the mast to produce aforce for returning the mast to an upright position and simultaneouslyfor producing a force applying a righting force to the hull, saidmechanism having a part engagable with the mast, the part beingrotatably mounted and means actuated by the part rigidly affixed to andpositioned to directly act on the hull.
 10. In a sailboat having a hulland main sail, means for maintaining leveling or trimming of the hullcomprising in combination, a mast mounted to be capable of tilting toport or starboard under the influence of the wind, means operativelyconnected to the mast to apply a force resisting the tilting of themast, said means including means positioned to be actuated by tilting ofthe mast to produce a force for returning the mast to an uprightposition and simultaneously for producing a force applying a rightingforce to the hull, comprising a movable yoke positioned to engage thelower end of the mast and movable to port and starboard, and meansoperative by the yoke to produce a force for restoring the mast toupright position and for producing a righting moment acting on the hull.11. An apparatus as in claim 10 including resilient members extendingbetween the said yoke and the sides of the boat whereby when the end ofthe mast moves to one side the resilient member on that side is flexedand put under tension producing the said forces.
 12. An apparatus as inclaim 11 wherein said means includes a spring member at each side of thelower end of the mast, and means actuatable by the mast engagable withthe said spring members whereby when the lower end of the mast moves toone side of said elements acts on a spring member to produce tension init and a restoring force.